The Piano - Before & After

{Now, wood lovers, brace yourself.}{And yes, I did my research prior to painting, this piano wasn't anything special or worth a great sum of money.} I braced myself for a week long project but was shocked when I finished in 24 hours!This hurt me. I cringed the entire time sanding this baby. Especially sanding the "Starr" logo away.AFTER:
Here she is, folks!
My mom swears it looks mint green... it's very pale blue.
The color was called "Frostina".Where the "Starr" logo used to be, I used my Cavallini stamp to add a little sumpin. Now the piano says "Hello!" in French. My piano speaks French!
I think it looks divine against the pale gray we just painted the walls.I also distressed the piano, as shown here, so that she looks old & pretty.Here is my dilemma, I'm having so much trouble dressing the piano! Should I leave the front...Adorn it with our family silhouettes?Or my antique music books? I love these.
What do you think?

{PS - For those wondering where to score a cheap old piano, my mother-in-law scored this one for us at an auction for $75 if I remember correctly. Craigslist is also a great source!}

First of all...I LOVE the piano painted white...wish I would have considered that before getting rid of ours (the wood tone didn't match my house anymore) - next, I think that it looks best with the vintage books displayed on it. Looks great!!!!

You did such a BEAUTIFUL job! I love it and I love how you gave it a distressed look! It sure lightens up the room too! I love both the family silhouettes and the antique music books. I think if you are not playing out of the books, to put them away and put the pictures back on. Just an idea! :)

Love Love Love the new look of your piano! It fits beaautiful into your space. You've inspired me to start the search for an old piano! :) I like the look of the antique music books, but the silouhette portraits are more personal:) You could also pull out some of your favorite sheets of music and have them framed for over the piano, or used as a matting for pictures over the piano. Great work!! :) I invite you over to my blog... I have your button to your charming site posted in my sidebar:) I am a new blogger and would love any advice :) Thanks for inspiring me!Wesleywww.theshabbygarden.blogspot.com

This is FANTASTIC! I've been considering a piano for my 2 year old some day, as she seems so inclined, but was hesitant for the eyesore factor (considering, I'm, um, frugal, and would most likely get a similar, used piano). You've changed my mind! I love either display, too.

wow -- I love the look - I have my Grandmother's piano and have it stuck in a spare bedroom - hummm thanks for your idea..I also have a grandfather clock that i have been considering painting..you've inspired me to think that might just be OK to do it...

great job...I'm your new follower as I want to see what else you may come up with - you seem to not have fear...

I vote for the vintage music books. Thanks for sharing this project. We're getting a piano from some people who don't want theirs anymore. I've never seen it, but I don't think it's priceless. I really want to paint it turquoise. Thanks for taking the plunge with paint!

Found your blog from a comment you posted on another (http://strawberryshoppe.blogspot.com/). LOVE that you had the guts to paint a piano! It went from grandma to gimme! And personally, I love the juxtaposition of the old books against the crisp piano. I also think it'd be fun to cover the bench with some cool fabric to add a pop of interest "below the waist."

Oh my goodness! LOL! We did the same thing. Good for you! It looks wonderful. I love the little stamp on the front. How chic. :) I'm going to follow your blog....I'll bet we have a lot in common. Lisa~

You must know I am a wood lover--the warmth of the color and feeling of movement in the grain...However, i must say you did a beautiful job on damaged wood! Although the portraits are lovely, they give me a cold feeling as opposed to the warmth of the antique music books which one feels compelled to read with reflection of those good old days--Joplin, for instance. I love Joplin and ragtime! The music books complement the music theme.The portraits will be better placed where they are the focal point--not to distract from the piano which deserves the focal point. And that's my opinion...Gramma